EE: Research Questions

A good research question focuses your research.  It is specific enough to be addressed in 4000 words.  It should be a question that does not already have a clear answer.  It should be a question that you are interested in finding out an answer to.  Information should be available to help you investigate your question. (If it is easily answerable or unanswerable, then it is not a very good question.)

In the process of working with your supervisor and engaging in the research process, you may modify your research question over time.

RQ Worksheet

1. Use These Question Starters

   • "What is the relationship between..."
   • "How does [X] affect..."
   • "What factors contribute to..."
   • "To what extent does..."
   • "How effective is..."

2. Check Your Question's Strength

   • Can you collect data about it?
   • Is it specific enough?
   • Does it require analysis, not just description?
   • Can you complete it in your available time?
   • Will your teacher approve it?

3. Red Flags to Watch For

   • Questions that can be answered with just "yes" or "no"
   • Topics that are too recent to have enough research
   • Subjects that require resources you can't access
   • Questions that are too broad to answer well

Using AI (FLINT) to brainstorm topics & research question ideas

Brainstorming prompts

• PROMPTS: Can you suggest some starting prompts for thinking about topics for an Extended Essay in [subject]?
• TOPICS: I’m looking for possible topics to research for an Extended Essay in [subject]. Where should I start?
• NARROWING: I am brainstorming ideas for an EE in Economics. I know I am interested in doing something that looks into the Chinese auto industry. Can you give me some suggestions?
• DEBATABLE: What are some recent debates or issues in [subject] that might inspire a unique research question for an Extended Essay?
• TRENDS: I’m not sure what topic to choose for my EE in [subject]. Can you help me brainstorm based on recent trends or influential ideas in this field?
• CONNECTIONS: How can I connect my personal interest in [topic] to an EE in [subject]?

Follow-up questions for AI

• Try telling it what you like from its previous suggestion and ask it to give you MORE IDEAS related to that suggestion.
• Try asking for the PROS and CONS of different topics or approaches.
• If you don't like its suggestions, REPHRASE your question giving MORE DETAIL to help get a better response.
• Apply the 5 WHYs technique: "Why does this work?" → "Why is that important?" → etc.
• Explore details: "What data can I actually collect?" "Who could I interview about this?" "What resources are available at school/online?"

Lots of online sources for brainstorming

Lists of EE Research Questions by subject 

100 Technology Topics for Research Papers

Psychology Topics-APA

Ideas in Economics-TED Talks

National Bureau of Economic Research: Topics of Economic Research

MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge- look at the different years

Mathematics Reasearch Projects for HS and College students

Teddy Rocks Math Essays

Arts Topics- Dance, Visual Art, Theatre & Film

Popular Topics in Film Research

Literature- good research topics

Science Buddies- science project ideas including Bio, Chem, Physics, ESS, Computer Sci, Math, Psych

Science and Health topics (database-see database passwords for home access)

Science Online-Browse topics (database-see database passwords for home access)

Environmental Topics- EPA

Dive into History: Intriguing 20th Century Research Paper Topics

World History in Context-Browse topics (database-see database passwords for home access)

Global Issues in Context-Browse topics (database-see database passwords for home access)

Research Topic Ideas in all subjects

Research Questions

• Narrow the topic to become focused and achievable in 4,000 words.
• Reflect on what is known or needs to be known.
• Develop any subtopics in a logical order so that your research will unfold in a coherent way.
• Ensure that the research question is focused.
• Choose a higher-order question—this will lead to analysis rather than description.
• Make the question inspiring and motivational for you.
• Be prepared to amend or change the question as you move forward with your research. Continually refer back to your research question to determine whether it needs adjustment.
• For more specific information, please refer to the EE SUBJECTS tab above.  Look at "Choosing a Topic" in the Overview & "Example Topics and Research Questions"